Sister M. Samuella Volk, OP, was born in 1931 in Mount Sterling, Ill., and was baptized Phyllis Jean at St. Joseph Church, Mount Sterling. She joined the Dominican Sisters of Springfield in 1949 and made her first profession of vows in 1951.
Sister Samuella gave 52 years to classroom teaching, first at St. Patrick, Springfield, 1951-1961; St. Joseph in Bradley, 1961-1971; St. Joseph, Granite City, 1971-1977; and St. Maurice in Morrisonville, 1977-1980. From 1980-1986 she cared for orphaned children at Alfred Fortin Villa, Bourbonnais, then returned to teaching at cathedral school, Holy Rosary, Duluth, Minn., 1986-2003. Leaving behind her beloved first grade classroom and the families she'd grown to love on the shores of Lake Superior, she returned to Illinois and served 2003-2012 as the Co-Director of Resident Services at Siena Hall on the Dominican Sisters' campus in Springfield. Always ready to lend a hand, Sister Samuella stays active and enjoys participating occasionally in Opening Minds Through Art, a program of the Springfield Art Association. She now spends her days enjoying the outdoors and offering her prayer for the life of the world.
One of her favorite memories in her ministry was the joy of teaching little children. “I grew up with nine siblings, and I think my love for looking after children came from watching after my little brother," Sister Samuella said. "My love was always working with little children due to my upbringing.”
One memory from her past includes teaching younger students to care for Earth. “I would take my students on walks and on our journey, we would plant apple seeds. I have heard from my former students who tell me those seeds grew into trees and some are still there,” she smiled.
Her advice to those considering a life in ministry is short but impactful: “Have your feet where your heart is.”
